Welcome to the Frankston City Late Spring 2021 edition of EnviroNews

Immerse yourself in nature at home and beyond

It has been a long year (or two) in this time of great change and for many of us, nature has been the place that we have turned to for comfort.

Whether it be on the beach, or in our backyards or local nature reserves, the natural world continues to welcome us and share its beauty and bounty.

As we emerge from our homes this spring and summer and rediscover the world outside, nature can continue to be part of our healing. If you're thinking of heading a bit further from home (subject to COVID restrictions), discover Victoria's natural, sustainable and eco-friendly travel options around the state with Sustainable Victoria. If a night on the couch is more your thing, be inspired and invigorated by the beauty and richness of Australia's natural landscape with Back to Nature on ABC iview. 

There are also many ways, large and small, that we can give back to the natural world and further enrich our own lives. In this edition of EnviroNews we share some of the ways that Council is giving back and ways that you can too. Highlights include:

• Get your local environmental or climate change project happening with Frankston City's Environmental Sustainability Grants Program
• Council commits to exploring ways to bring forward its net zero emissions target
• Reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions in your business for no or reduced upfront costs with heavily discounted energy efficient appliances.
• A free online talk on how to shop, cook, swap, save and eat for a happy planet (and a happy you)
• A day of free online sessions for Sustainable House Day on topics including sustainability on a budget and retrofitting for fire resilience this Sunday 17 October
• A new Gardens for Wildlife booklet to promote local biodiversity at home
• Find out the most sustainable and ethical choices for your superannuation, meal kit delivery services, clothing and more with your Frankston City Library membership. 
• And so much more.

If you have an event or news that you'd like us to share with your community in the next EnviroNews, contact us at environment.newsletter@frankston.vic.gov.au and tell us more.

Be inspired, get involved

Environmental Sustainability Grants program opening soon

Do you have a project that will help our community to live more sustainably or improve our natural environment? You may be eligible to apply for a grant of up to $1,000 to help move it along.

Frankston City Council's Environmental Sustainability Grants program provides funding up to $1,000 to support community groups and organisations with environmental and sustainability projects that support the strategic vision for our City’s future.

The four key themes are:
•    Protecting and enhancing natural assets
•    Wise use of natural resources
•    Minimising environmental impacts
•    Educating and engaging the community.

Applications for the next round of grants open at 9am on Monday 1 November and close at 5pm on Tuesday 30 November. 

Free online sessions on Sustainable House Day

Every year Sustainable House Day provides the opportunity to explore some of Australia’s most unique and inspiring homes. This year there are even more ways to interact with participating homeowners and gain insight on sustainability topics with a series of free online sessions on Sunday 17 October.

Hear from homeowners and experts on a series of topics from sustainability on a budget and lowering your energy bills to creating sustainable communities with eco-villages and co-housing, and building and retrofitting for fire resilience.

Upgrade your electrical equipment and save money on energy bills

Many businesses have been heavily affected by restrictions and are looking to save on bills. Your business may be eligible to receive large discounts on energy upgrades thanks to a joint initiative between Frankston City Council and the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA).

Through the Small Business Energy Saver Program, businesses in a range of industries including hospitality and retail, arts and recreation, accommodation, manufacturing and warehousing, sporting clubs and facilities and professional services (i.e. allied health) can receive a discount on the upfront cost or rebate to upgrade equipment (up to $2,000 per business) and subsequently save on energy bills. 

This project is made possible through funding from the Victorian Government through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. 

Make every bird count with the Backyard Bird Count 2021

October 18-24 is Birdlife Australia’s annual event, the Aussie Backyard Bird Count. 

Show your appreciation for Frankston City's avian fauna by recording your observations and doing your part to contribute to citizen science. Taking part in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count is easy! Just spend twenty minutes in your favourite outdoor space (COVID restrictions permitting) and tell us about the birds you see during this period. You can submit your results online or via the app (available on Google Play and Apple App stores). By uploading your observations, you automatically go into the draw to win prizes generously donated by fellow bird lovers.

Transform your garden into an oasis for local wildlife with Gardens for Wildlife

Council recently collaborated with our local Gardens for Wildlife group to create the new Frankston Gardens for Wildlife booklet, a valuable resource for anyone who wants to create a wildlife friendly garden or just discover more about the possibilities.

Learn about garden design, species selection, how to identify opportunities to attract more wildlife to your garden and more.

Combined with a visit by the Gardens for Wildlife Guides, this booklet can help you contribute significantly to the ongoing biodiversity value of your property.

Get Back to Nature from the comfort of your lounge room

Are you looking to be inspired and invigorated by the beauty and richness of Australia's natural landscape?

Enjoy a night in with author Holly Ringland and actor Aaron Pedersen as they travel to some of the most spectacular parts of this country in the new documentary series Back to Nature. 

Hear the stories of Traditional Owners and other guests as they share their connections with and experiences of the places they live and love. This journey through the Australian landscape and the unique stories of the land will deepen your connection with nature closer to home.

In other news

Council commits to exploring ways to bring forward its net zero emissions target

At a recent Council meeting, Councillors passed a motion to investigate the feasibility of accelerating the net zero emissions target for Council’s 2023-24 operational budget. The current target commits Council to achieving net zero emissions by 2024-25.

South Ward Cr Claire Harvey is Council's representative on the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA), who is calling on both the Federal and State Governments to support their communities to take urgent action and protect them from the impacts of climate change.

In light of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s recently released report, showing impacts of climate change are already occurring globally, Cr Harvey said that Council is being called on by Frankston City residents to lead by example on climate action.

Cr Harvey said: “Local Government and taxpayers all share the burden of climate change - increasing natural disasters like bushfires and heatwaves will cost us financially, above and beyond the very obvious impacts to our environment and to our health and wellbeing.

“While the window of opportunity for going hard and going early is unfortunately very much in the past, the IPCC report says we still have time to make a difference – and we must step up as elected representatives to show leadership on this crucial issue” Cr Harvey said.

Over the last year, landmark legal cases at the Australian Commonwealth and State level have demonstrated that the community believes the Government can and should be doing more.  

Read the minutes of the Council meeting where this motion was passed here (page 57).

Watch the livestream recording of the Council meeting where this motion was passed here (starts at 3 hours, 16 minutes).

Frankston City blitzes it in the 2021 Biodiversity Blitz!

Congratulations to all the people living in Frankston City who participated in the 2021 Biodiversity Blitz across September. A total of 2,501 observations of 732 different species were recorded, including:

• Seven koala observations around the Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve (most of these were probably well known local Kevin the Koala)
• Six short-beaked echidnas in Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve, and The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve
• Eight Tawny Frogmouths
• Eight Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos across the western part of the municipality
• One Alpaca (probably not roaming wild in our reserves)!

There were also 90 orchid and 32 carnivorous plant observations. 

Across the participating councils there were 28,809 observations of 2,808 species by 808 people. These great results show how valuable the contribution of citizen scientists is to understanding our local wildlife, and how important our parks and nature reserves are as wildlife habitat.  

We think you know someone inspirational….

Do you know someone who deserves to be Frankston City’s Citizen of the Year?

We are searching for our 2022 Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year and nominations are now open. Help us recognise those residents whose actions have had a meaningful impact in your life or on those close to you.

Maybe your nominee is a neighbour who has gone that extra mile to inspire others to live a more sustainable life, a community group member who has led a significant revegetation project, a teacher who went to extraordinary lengths to keep students on track during a disrupted year, or perhaps an aged-care worker whose efforts kept loneliness at bay, an advocate who helped tenants keep a roof over their heads.

You may even have had a misadventure that was less traumatic because of the outstanding efforts of a first responder, or perhaps you would like to nominate an event that brought people together or achieved its goals to support our community.

If you know a change-maker, please find the time to nominate, because inspiration is contagious!

Nominations close on 31 October 2021.

Have your say on Victoria’s transition to a circular and climate resilient economy

Sustainability Victoria is accelerating Victoria’s transition to a circular and climate resilient economy. SV2030: A Decade of Action is their draft strategy for the next 10 years and collaboration is at its core. Have they got it right? Have your say. 

This strategy outlines Sustainability Victoria's vision to act on sustainability by working better with all Victorians so that together we can achieve greater impact through our work. It also outlines Sustainability Victoria’s focus areas – these show how they plan to maximise technical expertise, insights, and relationships to accelerate Victoria’s transition to a circular and climate resilient economy.

Consultation closes on 17 November 2021.

Say no to balloons

Do you know that seabirds and other marine wildlife are 32 times more likely to die from swallowing balloons than hard plastics? Balloons floating in the oceans look like sea jellies and get eaten by sea birds and fed to young nestlings. Marine life can also became entangled in balloons and drown.

The great news for our friends in the bay is that releasing balloons into the air is now considered an act of littering in Victoria. This doesn't need to put a dampener on your celebrations, though, as there are many attractive alternatives to balloons including:

- Blowing bubbles
- Floating flowers
- Reusable or recyclable bunting
- Paper decorations
- Planting a tree

If you see an injured or distressed marine animal anywhere on Victoria’s coastline, call the Zoos Victoria Marine Response Unit on 1300 245 678.

Floating helium balloons can be reported to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).

Seaford » Frankston » Langwarrin » Karingal » Skye » Frankston South » Frankston North » Carrum Downs » Langwarrin South » Sandhurst

Frankston City Council acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong People, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters.